T&T Foreign Ministry officials meet teachers on CSME exchange programme

(Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago Press Release) On Thursday, 9 March, 2023, members of the CSME Unit, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, met with teachers participating in the first installment of the CARICOM Skilled Workers Programme, the Secondary School Teacher Attachment Programme at Holy Faith Convent, Couva.

The delegation from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs was led by Ms. Joanne Brooks, Head, CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Unit, Ms. Brittni Peters, CSME Specialist and Mr. Marc Skinner, Research Assistant and met with the teachers selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago in St. Kitts and Nevis: Mr. Wendall Long and Ms. Jaime Birbal.

During the site visit, discussions were held on the benefits of regional integration efforts including the cultural exchange, the exchange of technical best practices, and the strengthening of ties with other Member States. The participating teachers from Trinidad and Tobago were also presented with materials on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to assist them in the development of appropriate lessons during their time in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Ms. Brooks also took the time to meet Ms. Trudy Ann Trail, a visiting teacher from Jamaica, who is also participating in the Secondary School Teacher Attachment Programme. Ms. Trail, who is attached to Barrackpore West Secondary School, expressed her pleasure regarding participating in the programme and spoke about her experiences thus far with respect to interacting with the students of Barrackpore West and exploring Trinidad and Tobago.

The Secondary School Teacher Attachment Programme, which is funded by the European Union, is the first of many planned initiatives by the CARICOM Secretariat to provide opportunities for the learning of best practices in the administration of the regimes of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. In future iterations of the CARICOM Skilled Workers Programme, it is envisioned that immigration officials, CARICOM youth ambassadors and other sectors will participate in similar attachment programmes, with the hope of creating effective advocates for CARICOM integration through the exposure given to participants.

Source: CARICOM TODAY